Sadly, 60-year-old Sunita, the oldest elephant at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. She had lived at the Wild Animal Park since 1974 and had been receiving specialized care because of her advanced age. She will be much missed.

Nita was one of the smartest, most personable elephants around. Everyone loved her. And if for some reason you didn’t, she found a way to win you over. She did all sorts of things to get your attention: give you gifts of dirt or hay, make sounds like she swallowed a lion, or pick up her foot like she was injured. If you ignored all of that, you might receive a blast of water expertly aimed to soak you. But her antics were always in good fun.

One of our favorite Nita quirks was her love of putting objects in her tusk sockets to look like she had longer tusks. We joked that she wanted to be an African elephant. We were always delighted when she removed the “tusk” and handed it to us as a gift. Nita loved being with people, and she regularly preferred our company to food.

At the Wild Animal Park, she charmed our guests in demonstrations and was always willing to show off for people. In her early days here, she played tug-of-war with thousands of wide-eyed school kids. She always won.

If Nita found an object that one of the staff wanted to retrieve from the yard, she knew she could bargain with us for an exchange. She also understood that if she broke it into several pieces, she had more to bargain with and could get several apples instead of just one.

In the past year, we knew that age was finally catching up with Nita. She slowed down a bit, and we even started chopping up her hay so she could chew it better. However, it became evident in the past week that she was really sick. We gave her everything that we could think of: special treats, extra love, attention, and care. But despite our efforts, we had to accept that the best thing for Nita was to let her go and humanely euthanize her.

Nita was an elephant ambassador for her species. She brightened all our lives and those of anyone else fortunate enough to meet her. We all feel lucky to have known her.

41 Reader Comments

Nita was, and always will be, the greatest spirit I ever had the fortune to connect with. She will be missed by her adoring public as well as those who had the opportunity to love and care for her.

Thank you for all the care and comfort you gave this great gal over the years and in her final days–I’m sure she felt your love.

max

Posted February 25, 2009 at 6:40 PM

RIP Nita, I loved her. I am the kid with glasses who loves elephants. some of the keepers have met me. do you give behind the scenes tours with the elephants and if so is there an age limit? When are you moving the Asian elephants to the zoo? Thanks, Max.

kathy

Posted February 25, 2009 at 6:55 PM

My condolences to everyone at SDZ who had the privelage of caring for her over the years, I imagine it must have been a difficult day for all of you. Sunita sounds like she lived a long full life and your description of her is wonderful, she must have had a beautiful spirit. Rest in peace beautiful lady.

Diane K

Posted February 25, 2009 at 6:57 PM

Rest in peace beauty………..

Lainie

Posted February 25, 2009 at 8:50 PM

Sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet dear Sunita.

Susan H.

Posted February 25, 2009 at 10:36 PM

Oh How sad! Good bye, beautiful Sunita! It’s time for you to reunite with all of the elephants that went over the bridge before you! See you again in Heaven one day!

Lid

Posted February 25, 2009 at 11:07 PM

why euthanize her? was she in pain? we just don’t let age take her…I’m sorry for the lost..I love the stories..I bet she was happy and content I appreciate SDZ take care of their animals..bless you all

Peggy

Posted February 26, 2009 at 8:52 AM

This is how our captive elephants should be treated. Always loved and cared for until the end. Wild Animal Park staff are simply the best.

Rose N.

Posted February 26, 2009 at 9:07 AM

To all the Elephant Keepers – I am so sorry to hear about Sunita’s passing. She was indeed a very sweet and charming elephant. She knew she was loved and well cared for by her keepers. Rest in peace now, sweet Sunita.

barbara

Posted February 26, 2009 at 9:22 AM

To all who loved and gave such wonderful care to this great animal my deepest sympathy. Nita seemed like a animal who would brighten your day and give you hours of laughs and i’m sure whenever you think of her a smile will come to your lips. your beautiful words shows just what a special elephant she was. Rest in peace.

marcia519

Posted February 26, 2009 at 9:55 AM

It sounds as if Sunita lived a full, happy life and brought much joy to many people. We should all be so fortunate. My sympathies to the keepers on the loss of your friend.

Margaret

Posted February 26, 2009 at 1:00 PM

Rest in peace, Nita. Ditto, Marcia519.

It is always sad to lose a special friend, especially one so sweet and old. She had 60 years of wisdom in her elephant memory. How I wish sometimes that these magnificent creatures who have lived through so much for so long could share their memories with us, like we cherish the memories of our grandparents and patriarchs in our families.

You gave her a life that many elephants can only dream of, and her final days you were her constant companions and caregivers providing all the comforts and company you could.

On another note, have there been any matings sighted with Mabu and his harem? How long is it between births for a nursing cow?

nancy from michigan

Posted February 26, 2009 at 1:25 PM

60 years old! wow, is that usual for an elephant in captivity to live that long? it sounds as though she had quite a personality. elephants, as we all know, are very intelligent and never forget. they have quite remarkable memories. when treated well, cared for and loved, they always remember and respond accordingly. most animals do! but, as all the experts tell us, they are still not domesticated and are wild animals. that is why people should not keep exiotic animals as pets. sorry, I kind of got off the beaten path. at least sunita lead a long life and was well cared for! sorry for your loss as well as all the elephant lovers who visited her over the years. ( one of God’s creatures! )

Maureen in Stanwood MI

Posted February 26, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Rest in peace Nita – you charmed us when we saw you several years ago. It’s always so sad when an animal is sick & needs to be put down.

Jeremy

Posted February 26, 2009 at 2:39 PM

I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Sunita. I am sure that she lived a long and happy life there at the park. It is refreashing to hear of an elephant in a captive situation living so long when others try to claim that they live shortened lives. My sympathies to those who knew her best: the keepers, staff, and other elephants.

I am very excited for the future of the elephants both at the park and the zoo. on the cam today I could see the Africans in the fore-ground and the Asians in the back – very fun cam angle to show both. It will be wonderful to see Elephant Odyssey and the changes it will bring to the zoo. Best of luck in finishing the exhibit and preparing for the Asians to move. Is it possible to put up info of them and the elephants at the zoo in a similar way the African’s have bios? Oh I also noticed that on Vusi-musi’s bio it lists him as a female under his birth date and weights – is that just a typo? Also any news on the possibility of Umngani’s potenial pregnancy that was mentioned in an older blog? (How far do elephants walk in one day)

max

Posted February 26, 2009 at 5:33 PM

Margret its max block. umgani is pregnant with mabu in a few monthes they should have a knew baby.

Seiko

Posted February 26, 2009 at 8:22 PM

I am very sad to hear that Sunita passed away. She was a beautiful elephant and will be missed by everyone who knew her.
My heart goes out to Sunita’s care taker and staff. Thank you for taking good care of her.

Seiko

Ally

Posted February 27, 2009 at 12:27 AM

This is so sad! We just saw her on Friday

Dianne in Texas

Posted February 27, 2009 at 3:25 AM

It is so sad to lose such a beautiful matriarch. She was a very smart and special lady. I am sorry she had to be euthanized. Lid, #8; animals who are unable to function as they normally would are in pain and mental anguish. It is the humane thing to do, to “put them down”. My personal wish would be that I could have the same demise, when I am no longer able to care for myself. Sunita is the second elephant in an American zoo to have passed just a few months apart. I know the keepers are sad, as they feel deep love for these wonderful parts of our lives. My thoughts are with all of you, on SDA’s Asian Elephant Team, during this loss. She will be greatly missed.

Susan (UK)

Posted February 27, 2009 at 11:55 AM

I am so sorry to hear about Nita. I know she had a wonderful time at the WAP and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Sunita.

Holly in NY

Posted February 27, 2009 at 2:02 PM

Rest peacefully sweet beautiful girl. You are with the lLelly Gods now.

Terry R. from KC,MO

Posted February 27, 2009 at 2:10 PM

I love the park so much that I have flown out to San Diego 14 times just to see the zoos. You are all so blessed to have such a fine park and beautiful animals to see. I remember Sunita, I know she was well cared for and she will be missed. My wife and I used to just sit and watch them being bathed, watered, fed. I hope the rest of her friends got to say their goodbyes, I know they will miss her dearly. If there were ever a dream job to have is to care for the animals at your zoo. Sunita lived a good life and I will miss her and pray for her back here in Kansas City. May God bless you all for being her friend and caring for her.

Terry R. from KC,MO

Posted February 27, 2009 at 2:12 PM

I forgot to say, that the only way we keep in touch is through the email newsletter and watching the web cams. I just wish there were more cams to watch more animals from there.

Roxanne Shouse

Posted February 27, 2009 at 6:24 PM

Dearest Sunita, I remember you and have watched you for many, many years. My sincere condolences to the Keepers, and rest in peace you beautiful creature.
Love,
Roxanne

Lina Britton

Posted February 28, 2009 at 12:33 PM

Sonita (Sunita) belonged to my husband’s great Uncle, Charlie Franks and his wife Madeline. She was their “only child” and much love and attention was lavished on her, they. Charlie and Madeline taught her many tricks and she did many performances. My husband, Scott, grew up with her. He first met her when she was a few years old and she had just arrived in the USA. The zoo called her Sunita, but her real name is Sonita (she was named after my husband’s grandmother). Nita, as she was frequently called, performed in the Circus and was in several movies! She and Charlie were featured twice in documentaries by Huell Howser. When Charlie became too old to care for Sonita, he donated her to the San Diego Wild Life Park, Madeline had passed away, and until Charlie’s death he regularly visited Sonita. They say an elephant never forgets, and I have seen that proven. Each time I went with my husband to visit Sonita she was over joyed to see him. She would wrap her trunk around him in a great big elephant hug and she always wanted him to scratch her tongue! Sadly the last time we visited the zoo had changed their policy and they were not allowed to touch. This was visibly upsetting to Sonita and my husband, she loved people, especially ones she knew. She also loved jelly beans, her special treat from Charlie. She was blessed in the fact that she was owned and loved by one very special couple her gave her the best of everything, and in their passing they made sure she had the best of care by donating her to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. We want to thank the park for everything they did for her over the years, we know she will be greatly missed by all.

Chari Mercier

Posted February 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM

My prayers and condolences to all of the elephant keepers in the loss of Sunita. I just read your article about her, and she apparently had a beautiful way with people. You all did a great job in taking care of her and loving her, and she just returned all of that love back to you all! I know that you will miss her alot! At least she is in a “better place” now!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

Mary Britton Rodrigues

Posted March 1, 2009 at 7:17 AM

Sonita was my Uncle’s elephant before she was givin to the Wild Animal Park. She was named after his sister. She will be greatly missed!!!

Carole

Posted March 1, 2009 at 3:30 PM

What a lovely tribute to a special friend. Thank you for the entertaining Sunita stories — what intelligent elephant she was.

Cheryl

Posted March 2, 2009 at 12:48 PM

Lina & Mary — What a wonderful tribute to Sonita and your great uncle and uncle. I’m sure it gives you great comfort in hearing how much she touched everyone’s life who knew her. Thank you for sharing her history. My condolences you you too.

Paula W

Posted March 2, 2009 at 10:03 PM

my thoughts and prayers are will the zoo staff and especially with Sonita who will be sorely missed.

Rose N.

Posted March 3, 2009 at 7:52 PM

Lina Britton #26 – Thank you, Lina, for sharing your story about sweet Sunita with us. She certainly was a loving elephant. It really was touching to learn how she gave your husband an “elephant hug” every time he visited her at the Park – that must have been a beautiful experience. Amazing, I never knew that elephants liked jellybeans – how cute is that? Yes, indeed, her keepers took great care of her at the Wild Animal Park. The last time I saw Sunita was in Feb. 2008. She and another Asian elephant were enjoying their favorite water hole. We will all miss our “lovable movie star”.

Dianne in Texas

Posted March 3, 2009 at 8:22 PM

Not to take anything away from the passing of Sunita, we will miss her for a very long time; but the Memphis Zoo has a video of the keepers with Asali, one of their African Elephants. She is expecting her first calf, and they are preparing her for future examinations with the ultrascan apparatus; getting her use to the movement, touching, and smells of the exam. Very fascinating. And very well explained.

Tim H.

Posted March 14, 2009 at 1:37 AM

The Huell Howser episode with Charlie Franks’ reunion with Nita has the most touching moments I have ever seen on TV, and it was simply wonderful to see their relationship.

Mary Britton Rodrigues

Posted March 17, 2009 at 3:13 AM

I was incorrect in my previous comment. Sonita was not named after Charlie Franks sister. She was named after his Mother Sonita Elizabeth Walker Franks. She always said she wasn’t sure if she should be insulted or proud that her son named an elephant after her.

max

Posted March 20, 2009 at 8:06 AM

is ndula pregnant?

Uncle Junior Soprano

Posted September 5, 2009 at 10:54 PM

I remember Huell Howser’s videolog about Charlie Franks and Nita back around 1988. Huell’s videologs were always terrific, but this one, in my opinion, stood out as perhaps the most special. Nita remembered Charlie after so many years just as elephants are supposed to remember. Charlie was a very frail old man, but he was THE elephant man and still had Nita’s love and respect. It was amazing.

Janine

Posted January 7, 2011 at 12:05 AM

This is a very late post, but I just happened to see a replay of the Huell Howser Videolog of the reunion between Nita and her long-time master, Charlie Franks. It had me in tears. It is just so beautiful and amazing to see how that elephant remembered Franks after so many years.

Marie

Posted February 21, 2011 at 11:50 AM

Is this online anyway? I’d love to see it.

KM

Posted February 11, 2012 at 10:50 AM

RIP, Nita. I miss you. I’m crying now as I type this. I wish you could live forever.

Kevin

Posted November 21, 2012 at 8:09 PM

Just saw the Huell episode. Very touching. So sorry I didn’t see it earlier so I could have visited Nita in SD.

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